Apparel Having Sensor System

ABSTRACT

A sensor system configured for use with an article of apparel includes one or a plurality of sensors formed of a polymeric material having a conductive particulate material dispersed therein and conductive leads connecting the sensors to a port. The leads may also be formed of a polymeric material having a conductive particulate material dispersed therein. The conductive material is dispersed in the sensor(s) at a first dispersion density and the conductive material is dispersed in the leads at a second dispersion density that is higher than the first dispersion density. Each of the sensors is configured to increase in resistance when deformed under pressure, which is detected by a module connected to the port. The second dispersion density is such that each of the leads has sufficient conductivity that the leads are configured to conduct an electronic signal between each sensor and the port in any state of deformation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/824,593, filed Nov. 28, 2017, which a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/702,299, filed May 1, 2015, and issued as U.S.Pat. No. 9,841,330 on Dec. 12, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/713,967, filed Dec. 13, 2012, and issuedas U.S. Pat. No. 9,043,004 on May 26, 2015, all of which priorapplications are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to apparel having a sensorsystem and, more particularly, to an article of apparel having anextruded sensor system having a sensor member and a conductor connectedto a communication port operably associated with the apparel.

BACKGROUND

Articles of apparel having sensor systems incorporated therein areknown. Sensor systems track movement and collect performance datawherein the movements and performance data can be accessed for later usesuch as for analysis purposes. In certain systems, the sensor systemsare complex or unreliable at times due to bending of the apparel at awearer's joints. In addition, data can only be accessed or used withcertain operating systems. Thus, uses for the collected data can beunnecessarily limited. Accordingly, while certain articles of apparelhaving sensor systems provide a number of advantageous features, theynevertheless have certain limitations. The present invention seeks toovercome certain of these limitations and other drawbacks of the priorart, and to provide new features not heretofore available.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention relates generally to an article of apparel havinga sensor system. Aspects of the invention relate to a sensor system thatincludes one or a plurality of sensors formed of a polymeric materialhaving a conductive particulate material dispersed therein andconductive leads connected to the sensors. The leads may also be formedof a polymeric material having a conductive particulate materialdispersed therein. The sensors and the leads may have the same ordifferent polymeric materials and/or conductive particulate materials.In one embodiment, the conductive material is dispersed in the sensor(s)at a first dispersion density and the conductive material is dispersedin the leads at a second dispersion density that is higher than thefirst dispersion density. Each of the sensors is configured to increasein resistance when deformed under pressure, or in other words, thesensor has a first resistance in a non-deformed condition and a secondresistance in a deformed condition, where the second resistance ishigher than the first resistance. In a configuration where the leadsinclude the dispersed conductive material, the second dispersion densityis such that each of the leads has sufficient conductivity that theleads are configured to conduct an electronic signal between each sensorand the port in any state of deformation.

According to one aspect, the article of apparel further contains acommunication port operably connected with the sensors, such that theleads connect the sensors to the port. In one embodiment, thecommunication port is configured for transmitting data regarding forcesdetected by each sensor in a universally readable format. The port mayalso be configured for connection to an electronic module to allowcommunication between the sensors and the module.

According to another aspect, the article of apparel contains anelectronic module in communication with the sensors, which is configuredfor collecting data from the sensors. The module may be connected withthe sensors through the communication port, and may be positioned withina cavity associated with the article of apparel. In one embodiment, themodule is further configured for transmitting the data to an externaldevice for further processing.

According to another aspect, the article of apparel may contain ahousing that is configured for removably receiving the electronicmodule. The housing may include a well for receiving the module therein,and may have a communication port connected with the sensors andconfigured for communication with the module. The housing may furtherhave retaining structure configured for retaining the module within thehousing.

According to a further aspect, the polymeric material and the conductiveparticulate material of each sensor and each conductive lead areco-extruded.

According to an additional aspect, each lead includes an insulatingcoating disposed around a conductive core, with both the insulatingcoating and the conductive core being formed of the polymeric material.The insulating coating is substantially free of the conductiveparticulate material and the conductive core includes the conductiveparticulate material dispersed therein at the second dispersion density.Each sensor may additionally or alternately include an insulatingcoating disposed around a core, with both the insulating coating and theconductive core being formed of the polymeric material. The insulatingcoating is substantially free of the conductive particulate material andthe core includes the conductive particulate material dispersed thereinat the first dispersion density.

According to an additional aspect, at least one of the sensors includesa plurality of generally parallel branches having one or more bridgesextending transverse to the branches to connect the branches together.Such sensor(s) may have three or more branches arranged in a zigzagpattern.

According to an additional aspect, the sensors may be formed by a firstpolymeric paint having the conductive particulate material dispersedtherein at the first dispersion density, and the leads may be formed bya second polymeric paint having the conductive particulate materialdispersed therein at the second dispersion density. The first polymericpaint and the second polymeric paint both may be silicone-based paints.

According to an additional aspect, the conductive particulate materialincludes at least one particulate material selected from a groupconsisting of: nickel, silver, carbon, and aluminum.

According to an additional aspect, at least one of the sensors includesa thinned segment having a width that is reduced relative to otherportions of the sensor.

According to an additional aspect, each sensor has two leads connectingthe sensor to the port, and each sensor and the two leads connectedthereto are integrally formed as a single extruded member having asensor segment forming the sensor and conductor segments forming theleads. The sensor segment may be formed of the polymeric material havingthe conductive particulate material dispersed therein at the firstdispersion density, and the conductor segments may be formed of thepolymeric material having the conductive particulate material dispersedtherein at the second dispersion density.

Additional aspects of the invention relate to an article of apparel thatincludes a sensor system as described above. The article of apparel maybe a shirt, which may have sensors located at least in elbow regions,shoulder regions, and/or underarm regions of the shirt, and which mayhave the port located in the upper back region or the chest region. Thearticle of apparel may be a pair of pants (including shorts), which mayhave sensors located at least in knee regions and the back region of thepants, and which may have the port located on the front or back regionof the waist region of the pants. The article of apparel may further bea full bodysuit, having one or more sensors and a port located in one ofthe locations described above with respect to the shirt and pants. Thearticle of apparel may further be a tracksuit or similar outfit havingseparate shirt and pants members. The sensor systems of the shirt andpants may share a single port, or may have separate ports that maycommunicate with each other and/or with a common external device. Otherarticles of apparel may be utilized as well.

Additional aspects of the invention relate to an article of apparel thatincludes a clothing member having a sensor system disposed thereon. Thesensor system includes an extruded silicone member having a sensorsegment and a conductor segment connected to the sensor segment andcontinuous with the sensor segment. The sensor segment has a conductiveparticulate material contained therein at a first concentration and theconductor segment having the conductive particulate material containedtherein at a second concentration, the second concentration beinggreater than the first concentration. The sensor segments and conductorsegments may form one or more sensors and leads, respectively, asdescribed above.

Further aspects of the invention relate to a system that includes anarticle of apparel and/or a sensor system as described above, with anelectronic module connected to the sensor system. The system may furtherhave an external device configured for communication with the electronicmodule. The module is configured to receive data from the sensors and totransmit the data to the external device, and the external device isconfigured for further processing the data.

According to one aspect, the system also includes an accessory deviceconnected to the external device, configured to enable communicationbetween the electronic module and the external device. The accessorydevice may also be configured for connection to a second external deviceto enable communication between the electronic module and the secondexternal device.

According to another aspect, the data communicated to the externaldevice can be used in one or more different applications. Suchapplications can include using the data as control input for a programexecuted by the external device, such as a game program, or for athleticperformance monitoring, among other applications. Athletic performancemonitoring can include monitoring one or more performance metrics suchas speed, distance, lateral movement, acceleration, jump height, weighttransfer, foot strike pattern, balance, foot pronation or supination,loft time measurement during running, lateral cutting force, contacttime, center of pressure, throwing arm speed/force, kicking legspeed/force, weight distribution, and/or impact force, among others.

Still further aspects of the invention relate to methods utilizing anarticle of apparel containing a sensor system as described above. Suchmethods can include receiving data from the sensors at the electronicmodule and transmitting the data from the module to a remote externaldevice for further processing, which may include use in one or moreapplications. Such methods can also include removing or disconnecting afirst electronic module from the sensor system and connecting a secondmodule in its place, where the second module is configured for adifferent operation. Such methods can further include processing thedata for use in one or more applications and/or using the data ascontrol input for an external device. Still further, such methods caninclude an external device receiving the data and utilizing and/orfurther processing the data in a variety of manners, including ascontrol input, for athletic monitoring or modeling, and other such uses.Aspects of the invention may also include computer-readable mediacontaining instructions for use in performing one or more features ofthese methods and/or utilizing the footwear and systems described above.

Other aspects of the invention relate to a system that includes at leastone article of apparel having a sensor system as described above, aswell as at least one article of footwear having a sensor system thatincludes one or more sensors in communication with a port. Electronicmodules can be connected to the sensor systems, and each electronicmodule is configured for communicating data received from the sensors toan external device. The data from the different sensor systems may beintegrated and processed together, such as by the modules and/or theexternal device, and may be used in any of the applications describedabove. The system may use one of several different communication modes.

Still other features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following specification taken in conjunction with the followingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear view of one embodiment of an article of apparel in theform of a shirt having a sensor system;

FIG. 2 is a magnified view of a portion of the shirt of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a housing of the shirtof FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a magnified view as shown in FIG. 2, having the housingremoved to show detail;

FIG. 5 is a rear view as shown in FIG. 1, with an alternate housingattached to the shirt;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the shirt of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a rear view of another embodiment of an article of apparel inthe form of pants having a sensor system;

FIG. 8 is a magnified view of a portion of the pants of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a magnified view as shown in FIG. 8, with an alternate housingattached to the pants;

FIG. 10 is a front view of the pants of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a rear view of another embodiment of an article of apparel inthe form of a bodysuit having a sensor system;

FIG. 12 is a front view of the bodysuit of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a rear view of another embodiment of an article of apparel inthe form of a track suit including a shirt as shown in FIG. 1 and pantsas shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of an electronic modulecapable of use with a sensor system, in communication with an externalelectronic device;

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of the electronic module of FIG. 14, incommunication with an external gaming device;

FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a sensor of oneembodiment of a sensor system according to aspects of the presentinvention, with leads connected to the sensor;

FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the sensor of FIG. 16 ina state of tensile deformation;

FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a sensor of anotherembodiment of a sensor system according to aspects of the presentinvention;

FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the sensor of FIG. 18 ina state of tensile deformation; and

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an article of footwear including asensor system in communication with the sensor system of the article ofFIG. 1, according to aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there are shown in the drawings, and will herein be described indetail, preferred embodiments of the invention with the understandingthat the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification ofthe principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broadaspects of the invention to the embodiments illustrated and described.

Aspects of the present invention may be used in connection with anarticle of apparel 100 that includes a clothing member, for example, anclothing member 10 in the form of a shirt, as shown in FIGS. 1-6, a pairof pants 50, as shown in FIGS. 7-10, a bodysuit 60 as shown in FIGS.11-12, or other article of apparel, such as gloves, footwear (includingsocks, shoes, etc.), other types of shirts (including short sleeve orsleeveless shirts), other types of pants (including shorts), hats orother headgear, coats or other outerwear, arm or leg bands, belts, orany other type of apparel that is configured to cover and/or be worn onany part of a user's body. In general, the article of apparel has asensor system 12 connected thereto and/or disposed thereon, whichincludes a port 14 adapted for connection to an electronic module 16 orother device, one or more sensors 20, and one or more sensor leads 22connecting the sensors 20 to the port 14.

The clothing member 10 is configured as a shirt to be worn on a user'supper body, and as illustrated in FIG. 1, includes a trunk portion 30with sleeves 31 extending from the sides of the trunk portion 30 andconfigured to at least partially cover the user's arms. The trunkportion 30 has a back region 32 configured to at least partially coverthe user's back, a chest region 33 configured to at least partiallycover the user's chest. The sleeves 31 have elbow regions 34 configuredto at least partially cover the user's elbows. Shoulder regions 35 andunderarm regions 36 connect the sleeves 31 to the trunk portion 30 andare configured to at least partially cover the user's shoulders andunderarms, respectively. While the port 14 may be located in a varietyof positions without departing from the invention, in one embodiment,the port 14 is provided at a position and orientation and/or isotherwise structured so as to avoid or minimize contact with and/orirritation of the user's body, such as during an athletic activity. Thepositioning of the port 14 in FIGS. 1-6 illustrates one such example. Inthis embodiment, the port 14 is located in the upper part of the backregion 32 of the clothing member 10, but may be located elsewhere inother embodiments, for example, the chest region 33, other areas of thetrunk portion 30, or on one of the sleeves 31. The port 14 and/or theclothing member 10 may include additional structure to increase comfortfor the user.

One example embodiment of the sensor system 12 is illustrated in FIGS.1-6. In general, the sensor system 12 includes one or more sensors 20that are connected to the clothing member 10. The sensors 20 are formedof a flexible, insulative matrix material with a conductive particulatematerial dispersed therein. The flexible material may be an insulativepolymer material, such as silicone in one embodiment, and mayalternately be another polymeric material such as polyurethane, or otherflexible material. The conductive particulate material may be a metallicmaterial, such as nickel, silver, gold, copper, aluminum, or otherconductive metallic material (including alloys thereof), as well ascarbon or other conductive material, and may further include acombination of conductive materials. The conductive particulate materialmay be in any particulate form, including powder, flakes, needles, etc.,or a combination of such forms. FIGS. 16-17 illustrate exampleembodiments of a sensor 20, showing the flexible polymer matrix material23 with the conductive material 24 dispersed within the polymer material23.

The sensors 20 have a conductivity (and resistivity) that varies basedon deformation and applied force, and may be considered to be aforce-sensitive resistive material. The mechanism by which this occursis that the deformation of the matrix material 23 causes the distancebetween the particles of the conductive material 24 to increase ordecrease, which changes the resistance or conductivity of the material.For example, as shown in FIG. 17, when the matrix material 23 isstretched (e.g. tensile deformation), the distance between the particlesof the conductive material 24 increases, which increases the resistanceand decreases the conductivity of the sensor 20 relative to the sensor20 as shown in FIG. 16. The concentration or dispersion density of theconductive material in the sensors 20 may be such that the change inresistance due to typical deformation of the sensor 20 is significantenough to be accurately measurable. This density may be dependent on theidentity of the conductive material 24 and/or the matrix material 23.

In one embodiment, the sensors 20 may have multiple connected branches46 that extend across a common pressure point (e.g. a flex point asdescribed below). As shown in FIG. 1, at the elbow regions 34, thebranches 46 may be oriented parallel or generally parallel to eachother, and may be arranged in an alternating or “zig-zag” configurationin one embodiment, having one or more bridges 47 extending transverselybetween the branches to connect adjacent branches 46 together. Otherconfigurations and orientations may be utilize in other embodiments. Inthis configuration, all of the multiple branches 46 share a single pairof leads 22 and operate as a single sensor 20. If any of the branches 46is sufficiently deformed the module 16 will register deformation by thesensor. As a result, the detection of the sensors 20 can be moreconsistent, as different movements may deform different branches 46 ofthe sensor 20. Additionally, the sensors 20 may be positioneddifferently with respect to the user's joints due to the user wearingthe clothing member 10 in a slightly different configuration, slippageof the clothing member 10 during use, differences in size/anatomybetween different people, etc. The multiple branches 46 of the sensors20 allow for detection of movement in any of these situations. Further,this consistency permits the article 100 to be sold commercially in asingle configuration that is effective for a large number of users,avoiding the need for costly customization.

The sensors 20 may also contain one or more thinned portions or segments29 that have a width that is smaller than the widths of other portionsof the sensors 20 and/or the widths of the leads 22. The sensors 20 asshown in FIG. 1 include such thinned segments 29. The reduced thicknessof the thinned segments 29 ensures that the sensor 20 is deformed acrossits entire width, in order to produce consistent resistivity changeacross the width of the sensor 20 and thereby produce greaterconsistency in detection of movement. In another embodiment, the entiresensor 20 may have reduced width for this purpose, including a widththat is reduced with respect to the widths of the leads 22.

The sensor system 12 also includes sensor leads 22 connecting thesensors 20 to the port 14. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-6,the leads 22 are also formed of a flexible, insulative matrix material25 with a conductive particulate material 26 dispersed therein. Anymaterials listed above with respect to the sensors 20 may be used forthe leads 22 as well. In one embodiment, the matrix material 23 and theconductive material 24 of the sensors 20 are the same as the materials25, 26 of the leads 22. In another embodiment, one or both of theconductive material 26 and the matrix material 25 of the leads 22 may bedifferent from the materials 23, 24 of the sensors 20. It is understoodthat the sensor system 12 may include a combination of different sensors20 and/or leads 22 that include different matrix and/or conductivematerials, which can be used to achieve different functionalities. Theleads 22 may be formed of a different configuration in anotherembodiment, such as a conductive wire with an insulating coating or athread with a conductive plating (e.g. silver). Such wires or threadscould be woven into the fabric of the clothing member 10 in oneembodiment.

In general, the leads 22 have greater conductivity than the sensors 20,and have sufficient conductivity to conduct an electronic signal betweenthe sensor 20 and the port 14 in substantially any state of deformation(excluding extreme deformation, such as fracture). In the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-6, the concentration or dispersion density of the conductivematerial 26 in the leads 22 is greater than the dispersion density inthe sensors 20, as shown in FIGS. 16-17, to create the increasedconductivity. The dispersion density of the conductive material 26 inthe leads 22 may be such that normal or typical deformation of the leads22 does not cause a significant or measurable decrease in conductivity.This density may be dependent on the identity of the conductive material26 and/or the matrix material 25.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, each sensor 20 has two leads 22connecting the sensor 20 to the port 14, one of which serves as a powerlead and one of which serves as a return or ground. The embodiment ofFIG. 1 also includes a single ground lead 22A (or alternately, a singlepower lead) connected to a plurality of different sensors 20, with thesensors 20 having separate power leads 22 (or alternately, separateground leads). In a further embodiment, two or more of the sensors 20may share a pair of leads 22, and may be arranged in a single “loop”with a pair of leads connecting the sensors 20 to the port 14. Thesesensors 20 may be considered to be a “set” of sensors 20. For example,in one embodiment, each of the branches 46 in the alternating sensor 20configuration as shown in FIG. 1 may be configured as separate sensors20, with the bridges 47 in the form of auxiliary leads having higherconductivity connecting the separate sensors 20, such that the sensors20 share a pair of main leads 22 and are arranged in a set. In thisconfiguration, the sensors 20 of the set would be arranged in series,but in another embodiment, two or more sensors 20 may be arranged inparallel. Further configurations of sensors 20 and leads 22 arecontemplated.

In one embodiment, the sensors 20 and the leads 22 may be formed andconnected to the clothing member 10 by applying as a paint or similarsubstance that can be applied in a flowable form which then solidifies(such as through drying, curing, etc.). The sensors 20 and the leads 22can be applied as different types of paints, such as a first paint withthe conductive material at lower dispersion density to form the sensors20 and a second paint with the conductive material at a higherdispersion density to form the leads 22. A primer, adhesive, or otherbonding material may be used to enhance the connection between the paintand the clothing member in one embodiment. Additionally, the use ofpaint or a similar technique to apply the sensors 20 and leads 22 mayfacilitate customization of the article 100 for a particular user,enabling the sensors 20 and leads 22 to be quickly formed in a desiredpattern or configuration.

In another embodiment, the sensors 20 and the leads 22 may be formed byextrusion. The sensor matrix material 23 may be doped with the sensorconductive material 24 at the appropriate distribution density, loadedinto an extrusion device, and extruded to form the sensors 20.Similarly, the lead matrix material 25 may be doped with the leadconductive material 26 at the appropriate distribution density, loadedinto an extrusion device, and extruded to form the leads 22. Theextruded sensors 20 and leads 22 may be connected to the clothing member10 by extruding the sensors 20 and the leads 22 directly onto theclothing member 10 in a desired pattern, in one embodiment. As similarlymentioned above, a primer, adhesive, or other bonding material may beused to enhance the connection between the extruded material and theclothing member in one embodiment. Other forming methods may be used inother embodiments.

In one embodiment, the sensors 20 and the leads 22 can be formedtogether in one embodiment as a continuous member formed of the matrixmaterial 23, 25, with different segments having different concentrationsof the conductive material to form the sensors 20 and leads 22.Co-extrusion, other extrusion techniques, or another effective methodmay be utilized to produce the continuous member. In one exampleembodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, each sensor 20 or set of sensors 20 andthe lead or leads 22 connecting the sensor(s) 20 to the port 14 may be asingle continuous member formed of a single matrix material (e.g.silicone), having one or more sensor segments 27 and one or moreconductor segments 28 that are continuous with each other. The sensorsegments 27 have the conductive material 24 dispersed therein at theappropriate concentration to form the sensors 20, and the conductorsegments 28 have the conductive material 26 dispersed therein at theappropriate concentration to form the leads 22. It is understood that inthis embodiment, the conductive materials 24, 26 of the sensors 20 andthe leads 22 may be the same or different materials. In anotherembodiment, different matrix materials 23, 25 may be used for the sensorsegments 27 and the conductor segments 28, if such materials 23, 25 canbe sufficiently bonded to form the single continuous member.

In another embodiment, sensors 20 and/or leads 22 as described above mayhave an insulative coating 21, such as illustrated in FIGS. 18-19. Theinsulative coating 21 may be formed of the same material as the matrixmaterial(s) 23, 25 of the sensors 20 and/or leads 22 in one embodiment,and may further be co-extruded along with the sensors 20 and/or leads 22or otherwise continuously and integrally formed with the sensors 20and/or leads 22 in an additional embodiment. Alternately, the insulativecoating 21 may be made from one or more different materials, or may bemade from the same material as the matrix material(s) 23, 25 while beingseparately formed. FIG. 19 illustrates tensile deformation of the sensor20, which increases the resistivity of the sensor 20 according to thesame mechanism described above.

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate one example embodiment of the article 100, showingthe positioning of the sensors 20. The sensors 20 may be positioned ator near flex points on the article 100, which are configured to bepositioned on portions of the user's body where movement is focused(e.g. joints). As seen in FIG. 1, sensors 20 are positioned on each ofthe elbow regions 34, with leads 22 that extend from the sensors 20 tothe port 14 located in the back region 32 of the clothing member 10.These sensors 20 deform when the user's elbows are bent. Additionalsensors 20 are positioned on the back sides of each of the shoulderregions 35 and in each underarm region 36 of the clothing member 10,with leads 22 connecting each sensor 20 to the port 14. These sensors 20deform when the user's arms are raised and lowered or moved forward andbackward. As described above, the deformation of these sensors 20 causesthe resistance of the sensors 20 to change, which is detected by themodule 16 through communication through the leads 22 and the port 14. Asshown, all the sensors 20 and the leads 22 are connected to the outersurface of the clothing member 10. In another embodiment, at least someof the sensors 20 and/or leads 22 may be connected to the inner surfaceof the clothing member 10 or embedded within the clothing member 10, ora combination of such configurations. It is understood that the article100 may include additional sensors 20 and/or sensors 20 in otherpositions in other embodiments.

The port 14 is configured for connection to the leads 22 using aplurality of connectors or connection pins 13, which may be or includemetallic (e.g. silver) threads or other conductors. The port 14 alsoincludes an interface 18 configured for communication with an interface17 of the module 16. Each of the interfaces 17, 18 may include aplurality of electrical contacts (not shown) or other connections. Inone embodiment, the interfaces 17, 18 include separate electricalcontacts corresponding to each of the leads 22. A harness member 11supports the connection pins 13 in connection with the leads 22 andconsolidates the pins 13 together to connect to the interface 18. Theharness member 11 may be made from a sheet-like polymer material, withthe pins 13 at least partially embedded therein. A frame member 19 maybe positioned around the harness member 11, to support the harnessmember 11, provide a point for connection to the clothing member 10, andcover the connections between the leads 22 and the pins 13, among otherfunctions. The frame member 19 may be formed of a polymer foam or othersuitable material.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, a housing 40 is connected tothe clothing member 10 adjacent the port 14, and is positioned andconfigured to hold the module 16 in connection with the port 14. In oneembodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the housing 40 is formed of arigid shell, such as a rigid polymeric or metallic shell, that defines awell 41. In this embodiment, the housing 40 is formed of inner and outermembers 45A, 45B that fit together by snapping, interference fit, orother mechanical connection, and are connected to the clothing member 10by clamping a portion of the clothing member 10 between the inner andouter members 45A, 45B, as illustrated in FIG. 3. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 3, the inner member 45A includes a bottom wall supportingthe module 16, however in another embodiment, the housing 40 may includean inner member 45A that is annular or partially annular and connects tothe outer member 45B around the outer edges, with a center spaceallowing the portion of the clothing member 10 to form the bottom wallof the housing 40. In another embodiment, the housing 40 may be formedof leather or similar material (including synthetics) and is connectedto the clothing member 10 by stitching around the periphery, asillustrated in FIG. 5. The housing 40 may alternately be formed ofanother material with some degree of structural stability, such as ametallic material or a polymeric material (including polymer-matrixcomposites). Additionally, the housing 40 may be connected to theclothing member 10 in another manner, including adhesives or otherbonding materials, mechanical fastening, etc. In other embodiments, thehousing 40 may have a different shape, size, structure, or positioningon the clothing member 10, or the port 14 may not have a housingassociated with it, such as if the port 14 is configured to use awireless interface.

The housing 40 may have a well 41 that is configured to receive at leasta portion of the module 16 therein, and may further include a retainingstructure to retain the module 16. This retaining structure may becomplementary with retaining structure on the module 16. For example, inthe embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2 and the embodiment of FIG. 5, thehousing 40 has retaining structure in the form of a flange 42 around thewell 41, and the module 16 has a peripheral groove 43 that receives theflange 42 to retain the module 16 in the housing. The housing 40 inFIGS. 3 and 5 further includes a receiver 44 at one end of the well 41that receives the end of the module 16 that includes the moduleinterface 17 and acts as further retaining structure for the module 16.The port interface 18 is at least partially exposed within the receiver44, such that when the module 16 is received in the receiver 44, theinterfaces 17, 18 are in contact with each other to enable communicationbetween the port 14 and the module 16. In other embodiments, the housing40 and/or the module 16 may include different types of retainingstructures, including retaining tabs or other releasable retainingstructures. For example, the port 14 and/or the module 16 may includeinterfaces 17, 18 and/or retaining structure that is similar to theembodiments described and shown in U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/416,458, published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2007/0260421; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/401,918; U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/483,824, published as U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2010/0063778; U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/483,828, published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2010/0063779; and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 13/399,778 and13/399,935, all of which applications are incorporated by referenceherein in their entireties and made part hereof.

FIGS. 7-10 illustrate another embodiment of an article of apparel 500that includes a clothing member 50 in the form of pants, having a sensorsystem 12 connected thereto. The clothing member 50 is configured aspants to be worn on a user's lower body, and as illustrated in FIG. 7,includes a waist portion 51 with legs 52 extending downward from thewaist portion 51 and configured to at least partially cover the user'slegs. The waist portion 51 has a back region 53 configured to at leastpartially cover the user's back side, and the legs 52 have knee regions54 configured to at least partially cover the user's knees. The sensorsystem 12 includes the same general features as described above withrespect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, including sensors 20 and leads22 connecting the sensors 20 to a port 14, as well as any variations oralternate embodiments. The port 14 may include a housing 40 as describedabove and shown in FIGS. 1-3 or as shown in FIG. 5, or another type ofhousing, for holding the electronic module 16, which may be positionedadjacent the port 14. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-10, the port 14is located in the center of the back region 53 of the clothing member 50(e.g. in a tailbone area), but may be located elsewhere in otherembodiments, such as a hip area or a belt buckle area. Additionally, theclothing member 50 has sensors 20 located in the knee regions 54, whichdeform upon flexing of the user's knees, and two sensors 20 located inthe back region 53, which deform upon raising of the user's knees andthighs. It is understood that the article 500 may include additionalsensors 20 and/or sensors 20 in other positions in other embodiments. Itis also understood that the clothing member 50 and/or the sensor system12 may include any variations or alternative configurations describedabove.

FIGS. 11-12 illustrate another embodiment of an article of apparel 600that includes a clothing member 60 in the form of a bodysuit, having asensor system 12 connected thereto. The clothing member 60 is configuredas a bodysuit to be worn on to cover a user's full body, and asillustrated in FIGS. 11-12, includes a trunk portion 61 with legs 62extending downward from the waist portion 61 configured to at leastpartially cover the user's legs, as well as sleeves 63 extending fromthe sides of the trunk portion 61 configured to at least partially coverthe user's arms. The trunk portion 61 has a lower back region 64configured to at least partially cover the user's lower back, back side,and hips, and an upper back region 65 configured to at least partiallycover the user's upper back. The legs 62 have knee regions 66 configuredto at least partially cover the user's knees. The sleeves 63 have elbowregions 67 configured to at least partially cover the user's elbows.Shoulder regions 68 and underarm regions 69 connect the sleeves 63 tothe trunk portion 61 and are configured to at least partially cover theuser's shoulders and underarms, respectively. The sensor system 12includes the same general features as described above with respect tothe embodiments of FIGS. 1-10, including sensors 20 and leads 22connecting the sensors 20 to a port 14, as well as any variations oralternate embodiments. The port 14 may include a housing 40 as describedabove or another type of housing, for holding the electronic module 16,which may be positioned adjacent the port 14. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 11-12, the port 14 is located in the center of the upper backregion 65 of the clothing member 60, but may be located elsewhere inother embodiments, such as at a lower portion of the trunk portion 61(e.g. a front or back waist area). Additionally, the clothing member 60has sensors 20 located in the elbow regions 67, which deform uponflexing of the user's elbows, sensors 20 located in the knee regions 66,which deform upon flexing of the user's knees, and two sensors 20located in the lower back region 64, which deform upon raising of theuser's knees and thighs. Additional sensors 20 are positioned on theback sides of each of the shoulder regions 68 and in each underarmregion 69 of the clothing member 60, with leads 22 connecting eachsensor 20 to the port 14. These sensors 20 deform when the user's armsare raised and lowered or moved forward and backward. It is understoodthat the article 600 may include additional sensors 20 and/or sensors 20in other positions in other embodiments. It is also understood that theclothing member 60 and/or the sensor system 12 may include anyvariations or alternative configurations described above.

FIG. 14 illustrates an additional embodiment of an article of apparel700 including a clothing member 70 in the form of a track suit thatincludes separate clothing members in the form of a shirt 10 and pants50 as described above and shown in FIGS. 1-10, having a sensor system 12connected thereto. In the embodiment of FIG. 14, the article 700includes two ports 14 with two electronic modules 16 that are arrangedand positioned as described above in connection with the clothingmembers 10, 50 of FIGS. 1-10. The two modules 16 in this embodiment maybe configured to communicate simultaneously with a separate electronicdevice 71, and may additionally or alternately be configured tocommunicate with each other. In another embodiment, the article 700 mayinclude a single port 14 connected to a single module 16. The port 14 ispositioned in the upper part of the back region 32 of the shirt member10, similar to the article 600 of FIGS. 11-12, where the leads 22 fromthe sensors 20 in the pants member 50 extend from the pants member 50 tothe shirt member 10. This may be accomplished by the use of a bridgingconnection 72, such as a releasable electronic connection, for exampleany variety of plugs, computer connectors, etc. It is also understoodthat the clothing member 70 and/or the sensor system 12 may include anyvariations or alternative configurations described above.

The port 14 is configured for communication of data collected by thesensors 20 to an outside source, in one or more known manners. In oneembodiment, as shown in FIGS. 14-15, the port 14 is a universalcommunication port, configured for communication of data in auniversally readable format. As described above, in the embodimentsshown in FIGS. 1-13, the port 14 includes an interface 18 for connectionto an electronic module 16, shown in connection with the port 14 inFIGS. 3 and 14-15. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14-15, the interface18 may take the form of electrical contacts. As also described above thesensor leads 22 in FIGS. 1-13 are consolidated to form the interface 18at their terminal ends, in order to connect to the port 14, as shown ingreater detail in FIG. 4. In one embodiment, leads 22 may beindividually connected to the port interface 18, such as through theconnection pins 13 discussed above. In another embodiment, the sensorleads 22 could be consolidated to form an external interface, such as aplug-type interface or another configuration, and in a furtherembodiment, the sensor leads 22 may form a non-consolidated interface,with each lead 22 having its own sub-interface. As illustrated in FIGS.2, 4-5, and 8-9, the sensor leads 22 can converge to a single locationto form the consolidated interface. As also described below, the module16 may have an interface 17 for connection to the port interface 18and/or the sensor leads 22.

The port 14 is adapted for connection to a variety of differentelectronic modules 16, which may be as simple as a memory component(e.g., a flash drive) or which may contain more complex features. It isunderstood that the module 16 could be as complex a component as apersonal computer, mobile device, server, etc. The port 14 is configuredfor transmitting data gathered by the sensors 20 to the module 16 forstorage and/or processing. Although the port 14 is illustrated withelectronic contacts forming an interface 18 for connection to a module,in other embodiments, the port 14 may contain one or more additional oralternate communication interfaces. For example, the port 14 may containor comprise a USB port, a Firewire port, 16-pin port, or other type ofphysical contact-based connection, or may include a wireless orcontactless communication interface, such as an interface for Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, near-field communication, RFID, Bluetooth Low Energy, Zigbee,or other wireless communication technique, or an interface for infraredor other optical communication technique.

The module 16 may additionally have one or multiple communicationinterfaces for connecting to one or more external devices 110 totransmit the data for processing, as described below and shown in FIG.14. Such interfaces can include any of the contacted or contactlessinterfaces described above. In one embodiment, the module 16 isconfigured for connecting to the external device 110 using a wirelessconnection technique, such as those mentioned above. In this embodiment,the module 16 may be configured for wireless communication with theexternal device 110, which allows the device 22 to remain connected tothe port 14. In a wireless embodiment, the module 16 may be connected toan antenna for wireless communication. The antenna may be shaped, sized,and positioned for use with the appropriate transmission frequency forthe selected wireless communication method. Additionally, the antennamay be located internally within the module 16 or external to themodule. Additionally, the module 16 may be configured for contacted orcontactless connection to a mobile device, such as a watch, cell phone,portable music player, etc. In another embodiment, the module 16additionally or alternately includes a physical connector, such as aretractable USB connection for connection to the external device 110.The module 16 may be configured to be removed from the port 14 to bedirectly connected to the external device 110 for data transfer, such asby the retractable USB connection described above. In one embodiment,the module 16 may be permanently mounted to the clothing member 10, oralternately may be removable at the option of the user and capable ofremaining mounted to the clothing member 10 if desired. Additionally, asfurther explained below, the module 16 may be removed and replaced withanother module 16 programmed and/or configured for gathering and/orutilizing data from the sensors 20 in another manner. If the module 16is permanently mounted to the clothing member 10, the sensor system 12may further contain an external port to allow for data transfer and/orbattery charging, such as a USB or Firewire port. It is understood thatthe module 16 may be configured for both contacted and contactlesscommunication.

FIG. 14 shows a schematic diagram of an example electronic module 16including data transmission/reception capabilities through a datatransmission/reception system 106, which may be used in accordance withat least some examples of this invention. While the example structuresof FIG. 14 illustrate the data transmission/reception system (TX-RX) 106as integrated into the electronic module structure 16, those skilled inthe art will appreciate that a separate component may be included aspart of the structure of an article of apparel 100, et seq., or otherstructure for data transmission/reception purposes and/or that the datatransmission/reception system 106 need not be entirely contained in asingle housing or a single package in all examples of the invention.Rather, if desired, various components or elements of the datatransmission/reception system 106 may be separate from one another, indifferent housings, on different boards, and/or separately engaged withthe article of apparel 100, et seq., or other device in a variety ofdifferent manners without departing from this invention. Variousexamples of different potential mounting structures are described inmore detail below.

In the example of FIG. 14, the electronic component 16 may include adata transmission/reception element 106 for transmitting data to and/orreceiving data from one or more remote systems. In one embodiment, thetransmission/reception element 106 is configured for communicationthrough the port 14, such as by the contacted or contactless interfacesdescribed above. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the module 16includes an interface 17 configured for connection to the port 14 and/orsensors 20. In the module 16 illustrated in FIG. 14, the interface 17has contacts that are complementary with the contacts of the interface18 of the port 14, to connect with the port 14. In other embodiments, asdescribed above, the port 14 and the module 16 may contain differenttypes of interfaces 17, 18, which may be wired or wireless. It isunderstood that in some embodiments, the module 16 may interface withthe port 14 and/or sensors 20 through the TX-RX element 106.Accordingly, in one embodiment, the module 16 may be external to thearticle 100, et seq., and the port 14 may comprise a wirelesstransmitter interface for communication with the module 16. Theelectronic module 16 of this example further includes a processingsystem 202 (e.g., one or more microprocessors), a memory system 204, anda power supply 206 (e.g., a battery or other power source).

Connection to the one or more sensors can be accomplished through TX-RXelement 106, but additional sensors (not shown) may be provided to senseor provide data or information relating to a wide variety of differenttypes of parameters, such as physical or physiological data associatedwith use of the article 100, et seq., or the user, including pedometertype speed and/or distance information, other speed and/or distance datasensor information, temperature, altitude, barometric pressure,humidity, GPS data, accelerometer output or data, heart rate, pulserate, blood pressure, body temperature, EKG data, EEG data, dataregarding angular orientation and changes in angular orientation (suchas a gyroscope-based sensor), etc., and this data may be stored inmemory 204 and/or made available, for example, for transmission by thetransmission/reception system 106 to some remote location or system. Theadditional sensor(s), if present, may also include an accelerometer(e.g., for sensing direction changes during steps, such as for pedometertype speed and/or distance information, for sensing jump height, changesof direction, etc.).

An electronic module 16 as shown in FIG. 14 can include an activationsystem (not shown). The activation system or portions thereof may beengaged with the module 16 or with the article 100, et seq., (or otherdevice) together with or separate from other portions of the electronicmodule 16. The activation system may be used for selectively activatingthe electronic module 16 and/or at least some functions of theelectronic module 16 (e.g., data transmission/reception functions,etc.). A wide variety of different activation systems may be usedwithout departing from this invention, and a variety of such systemswill be described in more detail below with respect to various includedfigures. In one example, the sensor system 12 may be activated and/ordeactivated by activating the sensors 20 in a specific pattern, such asconsecutive or alternating arm or leg bends. In another example, thesensor system 12 may be activated by a button or switch, which may belocated on the module 16, on the clothing member 10, or on an externaldevice in communication with the sensor system 12, as well as otherlocations. In any of these embodiments, the sensor system 12 may containa “sleep” mode, which can deactivate the system 12 after a set period ofinactivity. In an alternate embodiment, the sensor system 12 may operateas a low-power device that does not activate or deactivate.

The module 16 may further be configured for communication with anexternal device 110, as described above, which may be an externalcomputer or computer system, mobile device, gaming system, or other typeof electronic device, as shown in FIGS. 14-15. The exemplary externaldevice 110 shown in FIGS. 14-15 includes a processor 302, a memory 304,a power supply 306, a display 308, a user input 310, and a datatransmission/reception system 108. The transmission/reception system 108is configured for communication with the module 16 via thetransmission/reception system 106 of the module 16, through any type ofknown electronic communication, including the contacted and contactlesscommunication methods described above and elsewhere herein. It isunderstood that the module 16 can be configured for communication with aplurality of external devices, including a wide variety of differenttypes and configurations of electronic devices. Additionally, thetransmission/reception system 106 of the module 16 may be configured fora plurality of different types of electronic communication. It isfurther understood that the shoe 100 may include a separate power sourceto operate the sensors 20 if necessary, such as a battery,piezoelectric, solar power supplies, or others. The sensors 20 may alsosimply receive power through connection to the module 16.

The operation and use of the sensor system 12 is described below withrespect to the sensor system 12 shown in FIGS. 1-6, and it is understoodthat the principles of operation of the sensor system 12, including allembodiments and variations thereof, are applicable to the otherembodiments of the sensor system 12 described above. In operation, thesensors 20 gather data according to their function and design, andtransmit the data to the port 14. The port 14 then allows the electronicmodule 16 to interface with the sensors 20 and collect the data forlater use and/or processing. In one embodiment, the data is collected,stored, and transmitted in a universally readable format, so the data isable to be accessed and/or downloaded by a plurality of users, with avariety of different applications, for use in a variety of differentpurposes. In one example, the data is collected, stored, and transmittedin XML format.

In different embodiments, the sensor system 12 may be configured tocollect different types of data. In one embodiment (described above),the sensor(s) 20 can collect data reflecting movement of the body at thepoints around the sensors 20, e.g. at the user's joints in oneembodiment. For example, the sensors 20 may gradually increase inresistance as the deformation of the sensor 20 changes due to differentdegrees of flexing or other movement. From this data, information aboutthe user's movements can be gathered, such as the number, sequence,and/or frequency of movement, as well as the degree of movement, thespeed of movement, and other information. In another embodiment, thesensors 20 may be binary on/off type sensors, rather than qualitativesensors. Such data may not permit the degree of the user's movement tobe detected, but other aspects of the user's movement can be detected,such as number, sequence, frequency, etc. In further embodiments, thesensor(s) 20 may be able to measure rates of changes in flexing,bending, or other deformation, and/or other temporally-dependentparameters. It is understood that, in any embodiment, the sensors 20 mayrequire a certain threshold force or deformation before registeringdata.

As described above, the data is provided through the universal port 14to the module 16 in a universally readable format, so that the number ofapplications, users, and programs that can use the data is nearlyunlimited. Thus, the port 14 and module 16 are configured and/orprogrammed as desired by a user, and the port 14 and module 16 receiveinput data from the sensor system 12, which data can be used in anymanner desired for different applications. In many applications, thedata is further processed by the module 16 and/or the external device110 prior to use. In configurations where the external device 110further processes the data, the module 16 may transmit the data to theexternal device 110. This transmitted data may be transmitted in thesame universally-readable format, or may be transmitted in anotherformat, and the module 16 may be configured to change the format of thedata. Additionally, the module 16 can be configured and/or programmed togather, utilize, and/or process data from the sensors 20 for one or morespecific applications. In one embodiment, the module 16 is configuredfor gathering, utilizing, and/or processing data for use in a pluralityof applications. Examples of such uses and applications are given below.As used herein, the term “application” refers generally to a particularuse, and does not necessarily refer to use in a computer programapplication, as that term is used in the computer arts. Nevertheless, aparticular application may be embodied wholly or partially in a computerprogram application.

Further, the module 16 can be removed from the clothing member andreplaced with a second module 16 configured for operating differentlythan the first module 16. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, thereplacement is accomplished by disconnecting the first module 16 fromthe port 14 and removing the first module 16 from the well 41, theninserting the second module 16 into the well 41 and connecting thesecond module 16 to the port 14. The second module 16 may be programmedand/or configured differently than the first module 16. In oneembodiment, the first module 16 may be configured for use in one or morespecific applications, and the second module 16 may be configured foruse in one or more different applications. For example, the first module16 may be configured for use in one or more gaming applications and thesecond module 16 may be configured for use in one or more athleticperformance monitoring applications. Additionally, the modules 16 may beconfigured for use in different applications of the same type. Forexample, the first module 16 may be configured for use in one game orathletic performance monitoring application, and the second module 16may be configured for use in a different game or athletic performancemonitoring application. As another example, the modules 16 may beconfigured for different uses within the same game or performancemonitoring application. In another embodiment, the first module 16 maybe configured to gather one type of data, and the second module 16 maybe configured to gather a different type of data. Examples of such typesof data are described herein, including quantitative force measurement,relative force measurement (i.e. sensors 20 relative to each other),weight shifting/transfer, impact sequences (such as for stride patterns)rate of force change, etc. In a further embodiment, the first module 16may be configured to utilize or process data from the sensors 20 in adifferent manner than the second module 16. For example, the modules 16may be configured to only gather, store, and/or communicate data, or themodules 16 may be configured to further process the data in some manner,such as organizing the data, changing the form of the data, performingcalculations using the data, etc. In yet another embodiment, the modules16 may be configured to communicate differently, such as havingdifferent communication interfaces or being configured to communicatewith different external devices 110. The modules 16 may functiondifferently in other aspects as well, including both structural andfunctional aspects, such as using different power sources or includingadditional or different hardware components, such as additional sensorsas described above (e.g. GPS, accelerometer, etc.).

One use contemplated for the data collected by the system 12 is indetecting and/or measuring movement by flexing of the user's joints,including joints used in a wide variety of athletic activities, such aselbows, shoulders, knees, and hips. As described above, informationabout the user's movements that can be gathered from the data includethe number, sequence, and/or frequency of movement, the degree ofmovement, the speed of movement, and other information. It is understoodthat more or less expensive and complex sensor systems 12 may bedesigned, based on the intended use of the data collected thereby. Thedata collected by the system 12 can be used in measurement of a varietyof other athletic performance characteristics. For example, speed anddistance monitoring can be performed, which may include pedometer-basedmeasurements. As another example, movement information can be used tomodel the user's movements (such as by an external device 110). Suchmovements that can be modeled include, without limitation, running form,throwing form (e.g., baseball, football, softball, cricket, etc.),basketball shooting form, swing form (e.g., baseball, golf, tennis,hockey, etc.), kicking form (e.g. soccer or football), ice skating orroller skating form, jumping form, climbing form, weightlifting or otherstationary exercise form, posture, and other such movements.

The data, or the measurements derived therefrom, may be useful forathletic training purposes, including improving speed, power, quickness,consistency, technique, etc. The port 14, module 16, and/or externaldevice 110 can be configured to give the user active, real-timefeedback. In one example, the port 14 and/or module 16 can be placed incommunication with a computer, mobile device, etc., in order to conveyresults in real time. Additionally, the data can be used to compareathletic movements, such as comparing a movement with a user's pastmovements to show consistency, improvement, or the lack thereof, orcomparing a user's movement with the same movement of another, such as aprofessional golfer's swing. Further, the system 12 may be used torecord biomechanical data for a “signature” athletic movement of anathlete. This data could be provided to others for use in duplicating orsimulating the movement, such as for use in gaming applications or in ashadow application that overlays a movement over a user's similarmovement.

The system 12 can also be configured for “all day activity” tracking, torecord the various activities a user engages in over the course of aday. The system 12 may include a special algorithm for this purpose,such as in the module 16, the external device 110, and/or the sensors20.

The system 12 may also be used for control applications, rather thandata collection and processing applications. In other words, the system12 could be incorporated into apparel, or another clothing member thatencounters bodily contact, for use in controlling an external device110, such as a computer, television, video game, etc., based onmovements by the user detected by the sensors 20. In effect, the apparelwith the incorporated sensors 20 and leads 22 extending to a universalport 14 allows the apparel to act as an input system, and the electronicmodule 16 can be configured, programmed, and adapted to accept the inputfrom the sensors 20 and use this input data in any desired manner, e.g.,as a control input for a remote system. For example, a shoe with sensorcontrols could be used as a control or input device for a computer, orfor a program being executed by the computer, similarly to a mouse,where certain movements, gestures, etc. (e.g., a horizontal or verticalhand or arm wave, a kick, etc.) can control a pre-designated operationon a computer (e.g., page down, page up, undo, copy, cut, paste, save,close, etc.). Software can be provided to assign various gestures todifferent computer function controls for this purpose. It iscontemplated that an operating system could be configured to receive andrecognize control input from the sensor system 12. Televisions or otherexternal electronic devices can be controlled in this manner. Articles100, 500, 600, 700 incorporating the system 12 can also be used ingaming applications and game programs, similarly to the Nintendo Wiicontroller, where specific movements can be assigned certain functionsand/or can be used to produce a virtual representation of the user'smotion on a display screen. The system 12 can be used as an exclusivecontroller for a game or other computer system, or as a complementarycontroller.

Additionally, the system 12 may be configured to communicate directlywith the external device 110 and/or with a controller for the externaldevice. As described above, FIG. 14 illustrates one embodiment forcommunication between the electronic module 16 and the external device.In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 15, the system 12 can be configuredfor communication with an external gaming device 110A. The externalgaming device 110A contains similar components to the exemplary externaldevice 110 shown in FIG. 14. The external gaming device 110A alsoincludes at least one game media 307 containing a game program (e.g. acartridge, CD, DVD, Blu-Ray, or other storage device), and at least oneremote controller 305 configured to communicate by wired and/or wirelessconnection through the transmitting/receiving element 108. In theembodiment shown, the controller 305 complements the user input 310,however in one embodiment, the controller 305 may function as the soleuser input. In this embodiment, the system 12 is provided with anaccessory device 303, such as a wireless transmitter/receiver with a USBplug-in, that is configured to be connected to the external device 110and/or the controller 305 to enable communication with the module 16. Inone embodiment, the accessory device 303 may be configured to beconnected to one or more additional controllers and/or external devices,of the same and/or different type than the controller 305 and theexternal device 110. It is understood that if the system 12 includesother types of sensors described above (e.g., an accelerometer), suchadditional sensors can also be incorporated into controlling a game orother program on an external device 110.

An external device 110, such as a computer/gaming system, can beprovided with other types of software to interact with the system 12.For example, a gaming program may be configured to alter the attributesof an in-game character based on a user's real-life activities, whichcan encourage exercise or greater activity by the user. In anotherexample, a program may be configured to display an avatar of the userthat acts in relation or proportion to the user activity collected bythe sensing system of the shoe. In such a configuration, the avatar mayappear excited, energetic, etc., if the user has been active, and theavatar may appear sleepy, lazy, etc., if the user has been inactive. Thesensor system 12 could also be configured for more elaborate sensing torecord data describing a “signature move” of an athlete, which couldthen be utilized for various purposes, such as in a gaming system ormodeling system.

A single article 100, et seq., containing the sensor system 12 asdescribed herein can be used alone or in combination with a secondarticle 100, et seq., having its own sensor system 12, such as thearticles 100, 500 in the track suit 70 illustrated in FIG. 13 anddescribed above. In one embodiment, one of the articles 100, et seq.,described above may have a sensor system 12 that communicates orotherwise works in conjunction with a sensor system 82 in an article offootwear 80, as illustrated in FIG. 20, where the sensor system 82 ofthe footwear 80 is in communication with the sensor system 12 of theshirt article 100. In the embodiment of FIG. 20, the article of footwear80 has a sensor system 82 that includes a port 81, one or more sensors83 connected to the port 81, and a module 84 connected to the port 81 toreceive data from the sensors 83. The sensor system 82 of the article offootwear 80 may utilize FSR sensors, and may be configured according toone or more embodiments as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/401,918, which application is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety and made part hereof. Additional embodiments of sensors andsensor systems, as well as articles of footwear and sole structures andmembers utilizing the same, are described in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/483,824, published as U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2010/0063778; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/483,828, publishedas U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0063779; and U.S. patentapplication Ser. Nos. 13/399,778 and 13/399,935, all of whichapplications are incorporated by reference herein in their entiretiesand made part hereof. FIG. 20 illustrates the modules 16, 84 incommunication with each other, and it is understood that one or moreintermediate devices may be involved in such communication. In oneembodiment, the data from the sensor system 12 in the article of apparel100 can be integrated, combined, and/or otherwise used together with thedata from the sensor system 82 of the footwear 80. Such integrated datacan provide further detail describing the user's movement, and can beused in any of the applications described herein or in theaforementioned patent applications, as well as other uses. The dataintegration can be performed by a module 16, 84 or may be performed byan external device 110, after receiving the data from both the sensorsystems 12, 82. The device 110 may also generate visual, audio, or otheroutput of the integrated data, which may include performance indicators.

Various modes of communication may be used to integrate the data frommultiple sensor systems 12, 82, including any modes of communicationdescribed in the aforementioned patent applications may be used as well.As illustrated in FIG. 20, the module 16 of the sensor system 12 maycommunicate directly with the module 84 of the footwear sensor system 82and/or both modules 16, 84 may communicate with an external device 110in one embodiment. In another embodiment, only a single module 16 may beused for both sensor systems 12, 82. For example, the port 14 of theapparel sensor system 12 or the port 81 of the footwear sensor system 82may be configured for wireless communication with the module 16 toenable such use. As another example, one or more individual sensors 20,83 of the sensor systems 12, 82 may have a dedicated antenna or othercommunication device for communication with other components and/ordevices described herein. Still other uses and applications of the datacollected by the system 12 are contemplated within the scope of theinvention and are recognizable to those skilled in the art.

As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art upon reading thepresent disclosure, various aspects described herein may be embodied asa method, a data processing system, or a computer program product.Accordingly, those aspects may take the form of an entirely hardwareembodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combiningsoftware and hardware aspects. Furthermore, such aspects may take theform of a computer program product stored by one or more tangiblecomputer-readable storage media or storage devices havingcomputer-readable program code, or instructions, embodied in or on thestorage media. Any suitable tangible computer readable storage media maybe utilized, including hard disks, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices,magnetic storage devices, and/or any combination thereof. In addition,various intangible signals representing data or events as describedherein may be transferred between a source and a destination in the formof electromagnetic waves traveling through signal-conducting media suchas metal wires, optical fibers, and/or wireless transmission media(e.g., air and/or space).

As described above, aspects of the present invention may be described inthe general context of computer-executable instructions, such as programmodules, being executed by a computer and/or a processor thereof.Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects,components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks orimplement particular abstract data types. Such a program module may becontained in a tangible computer-readable medium, as described above.Aspects of the present invention may also be practiced in distributedcomputing environments where tasks are performed by remote processingdevices that are linked through a communications network. Programmodules may be located in a memory, such as the memory 204 of the module16 or memory 304 of the external device 110, or an external medium, suchas game media 307, which may include both local and remote computerstorage media including memory storage devices. It is understood thatthe module 16, the external device 110, and/or external media mayinclude complementary program modules for use together, such as in aparticular application. It is also understood that a single processor202, 302 and single memory 204, 304 are shown and described in themodule 16 and the external device 110 for sake of simplicity, and thatthe processor 202, 302 and memory 204, 304 may include a plurality ofprocessors and/or memories respectively, and may comprise a system ofprocessors and/or memories.

The various embodiments of the sensor system described herein, as wellas the articles of apparel and other structures incorporating the sensorsystem, provide benefits and advantages over existing technology. Forexample, many of the sensor embodiments described herein providerelatively low cost and durable options for sensor systems, so that asensor system can be incorporated into articles of apparel with littleadded cost and good reliability. As a result, apparel can bemanufactured with integral sensor systems regardless of whether thesensor systems are ultimately desired to be used by the consumer,without appreciably affecting price. Additionally, the article(s) ofapparel may be manufactured as thin and lightweight garments to be wornunderneath a user's normal apparel, providing performance trackingwithout affecting the user's external appearance and style. As anotherexample, the sensor system provides a wide range of functionality for awide variety of applications, including gaming, fitness, athletictraining and improvement, practical controls for computers and otherdevices, and many others described herein and recognizable to thoseskilled in the art. In one embodiment, third-party software developerscan develop software configured to run using input from the sensorsystems, including games and other programs. The ability of the sensorsystem to provide data in a universally readable format greatly expandsthe range of third party software and other applications for which thesensor system can be used.

Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described andillustrated herein. A person of ordinary skill in the art wouldappreciate the features of the individual embodiments, and the possiblecombinations and variations of the components. A person of ordinaryskill in the art would further appreciate that any of the embodimentscould be provided in any combination with the other embodimentsdisclosed herein. It is understood that the invention may be embodied inother specific forms without departing from the spirit or centralcharacteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments,therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details givenherein. The terms “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” etc., as usedherein, are intended for illustrative purposes only and do not limit theembodiments in any way. Additionally, the term “plurality,” as usedherein, indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively orconjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number. Further,“Providing” an article or apparatus, as used herein, refers broadly tomaking the article available or accessible for future actions to beperformed on the article, and does not connote that the party providingthe article has manufactured, produced, or supplied the article or thatthe party providing the article has ownership or control of the article.Accordingly, while specific embodiments have been illustrated anddescribed, numerous modifications come to mind without significantlydeparting from the spirit of the invention and the scope of protectionis only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sensor system comprising: a plurality ofsensors configured to be connected to an article of apparel, wherein thesensors are formed of a polymeric material having a conductiveparticulate material dispersed therein at a first dispersion density,and wherein each of the sensors is configured to increase in resistancewhen deformed under pressure; and a plurality of conductive leadsconnected to the sensors and extending away from the sensors, whereinthe leads have sufficient conductivity such that each lead is configuredto conduct an electronic signal to or from the sensor in any state ofdeformation, wherein at least one of the sensors comprises a pluralityof generally parallel branches having one or more bridges extendingbetween the branches to connect the branches together.
 2. The sensorsystem of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the sensors comprisesthree or more branches, wherein the branches and the bridges arearranged in an alternating pattern.
 3. The sensor system of claim 1,wherein the leads are formed of the polymeric material having theconductive particulate material dispersed therein at a second dispersiondensity, and wherein the second dispersion density is higher than thefirst dispersion density, such that each of the leads has sufficientconductivity that the leads are configured to conduct an electronicsignal to or from each sensor in any state of deformation.
 4. The sensorsystem of claim 3, wherein each sensor has two leads extending away fromthe sensor, and wherein each sensor and the two leads connected theretoare integrally formed as a single extruded member having a sensorsegment forming the sensor and conductor segments forming the leads, thesensor segment formed of the polymeric material having the conductiveparticulate material dispersed therein at the first dispersion density,and the conductor segments formed of the polymeric material having theconductive particulate material dispersed therein at the seconddispersion density.
 5. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the leadsare formed of the polymeric material having a second conductiveparticulate material dispersed therein, and wherein each of the leadshas sufficient conductivity that the leads are configured to conduct anelectronic signal to or from each sensor in any state of deformation. 6.The sensor system of claim 1, further comprising an interface connectedto the leads and configured for connection to an electronic module, suchthat the electronic module is in communication with the leads and thesensors through the interface.
 7. An article of apparel having thesensor system of claim 6 connected thereto, such that the sensors, theleads, and the interface are connected to the article of apparel.
 8. Asensor system comprising: a plurality of sensors configured to beconnected to an article of apparel, wherein the sensors are formed of apolymeric material having a conductive particulate material dispersedtherein at a first dispersion density, and wherein each of the sensorsis configured to increase in resistance when deformed under pressure;and a plurality of conductive leads connected to the sensors andextending away from the sensors, wherein the leads have sufficientconductivity such that each lead is configured to conduct an electronicsignal to or from the sensor in any state of deformation, wherein atleast one of the sensors comprises a plurality of branches having one ormore bridges extending between the branches to connect the branchestogether, wherein the branches and the bridges are arranged in analternating pattern.
 9. The sensor system of claim 8, wherein the leadsare formed of the polymeric material having the conductive particulatematerial dispersed therein at a second dispersion density, and whereinthe second dispersion density is higher than the first dispersiondensity, such that each of the leads has sufficient conductivity thatthe leads are configured to conduct an electronic signal to or from eachsensor in any state of deformation.
 10. The sensor system of claim 9,wherein each sensor has two leads extending away from the sensor, andwherein each sensor and the two leads connected thereto are integrallyformed as a single extruded member having a sensor segment forming thesensor and conductor segments forming the leads, the sensor segmentformed of the polymeric material having the conductive particulatematerial dispersed therein at the first dispersion density, and theconductor segments formed of the polymeric material having theconductive particulate material dispersed therein at the seconddispersion density.
 11. The sensor system of claim 8, wherein the leadsare formed of the polymeric material having a second conductiveparticulate material dispersed therein, and wherein each of the leadshas sufficient conductivity that the leads are configured to conduct anelectronic signal to or from each sensor in any state of deformation.12. The sensor system of claim 8, further comprising an interfaceconnected to the leads and configured for connection to an electronicmodule, such that the electronic module is in communication with theleads and the sensors through the interface.
 13. An article of apparelhaving the sensor system of claim 12 connected thereto, such that thesensors, the leads, and the interface are connected to the article ofapparel.
 14. A sensor system comprising: an interface configured forconnection to an electronic module, wherein the interface is configuredfor connection to an article of apparel; a first sensor configured to beconnected to the article of apparel, wherein the first sensor is formedof a polymeric material having a conductive particulate materialdispersed therein at a first dispersion density, wherein the firstsensor is configured to increase in resistance when deformed underpressure, and wherein the first sensor comprises a plurality ofgenerally parallel branches having one or more bridges extending betweenthe branches to connect the branches together; a first conductive leadconnected to the first sensor and extending from the first sensor to theinterface, such that the electronic module is configured to be incommunication with the first lead and the first sensor through theinterface, wherein the first lead has sufficient conductivity such thatthe first lead is configured to conduct an electronic signal to or fromthe first sensor in any state of deformation.
 15. The sensor system ofclaim 14, wherein the first sensor comprises three or more branches,wherein the branches and the bridges are arranged in an alternatingpattern.
 16. The sensor system of claim 14, wherein the first lead isformed of the polymeric material having the conductive particulatematerial dispersed therein at a second dispersion density, and whereinthe second dispersion density is higher than the first dispersiondensity, such that the first lead has sufficient conductivity that thefirst lead is configured to conduct an electronic signal to or from eachsensor in any state of deformation.
 17. The sensor system of claim 16,wherein the first sensor further has a second lead extending from thesensor to the interface, and wherein the first sensor and the first andsecond leads connected thereto are integrally formed as a singleextruded member having a sensor segment forming the first sensor andconductor segments forming the first and second leads, the sensorsegment formed of the polymeric material having the conductiveparticulate material dispersed therein at the first dispersion density,and the conductor segments formed of the polymeric material having theconductive particulate material dispersed therein at the seconddispersion density.
 18. The sensor system of claim 14, wherein the firstlead is formed of the polymeric material having a second conductiveparticulate material dispersed therein, and wherein the first lead hassufficient conductivity that the first lead is configured to conduct anelectronic signal to or from each sensor in any state of deformation.19. The sensor system of claim 14, further comprising: a second sensorconfigured to be connected to the article of apparel at a locationseparate from the first sensor, wherein the second sensor is formed ofthe polymeric material having the conductive particulate materialdispersed therein, wherein the second sensor is configured to increasein resistance when deformed under pressure, and wherein the secondsensor comprises a plurality of generally parallel second brancheshaving one or more second bridges extending between the second branchesto connect the second branches together; a second conductive leadconnected to the second sensor and extending from the second sensor tothe interface, such that the electronic module is configured to be incommunication with the second lead and the second sensor through theinterface, wherein the second lead has sufficient conductivity such thatthe second lead is configured to conduct an electronic signal to or fromthe second sensor in any state of deformation
 20. An article of apparelhaving the sensor system of claim 14 connected thereto, such that thefirst sensor, the first lead, and the interface are connected to thearticle of apparel.
 21. A sensor system comprising: an interfaceconfigured for connection to an electronic module, wherein the interfaceis configured for connection to an article of apparel; a first sensorconfigured to be connected to the article of apparel, wherein the firstsensor is formed of a polymeric material having a conductive particulatematerial dispersed therein at a first dispersion density, wherein thefirst sensor is configured to increase in resistance when deformed underpressure, and wherein the first sensor comprises a plurality of brancheshaving one or more bridges extending between the branches to connect thebranches together, wherein the branches and the bridges are arranged inan alternating pattern; a first conductive lead connected to the firstsensor and extending from the first sensor to the interface, such thatthe electronic module is configured to be in communication with thefirst lead and the first sensor through the interface, wherein the firstlead has sufficient conductivity such that the first lead is configuredto conduct an electronic signal to or from the first sensor in any stateof deformation.
 22. The sensor system of claim 21, wherein the firstlead is formed of the polymeric material having the conductiveparticulate material dispersed therein at a second dispersion density,and wherein the second dispersion density is higher than the firstdispersion density, such that the first lead has sufficient conductivitythat the first lead is configured to conduct an electronic signal to orfrom each sensor in any state of deformation.
 23. The sensor system ofclaim 22, wherein the first sensor further has a second lead extendingfrom the sensor to the interface, and wherein the first sensor and thefirst and second leads connected thereto are integrally formed as asingle extruded member having a sensor segment forming the first sensorand conductor segments forming the first and second leads, the sensorsegment formed of the polymeric material having the conductiveparticulate material dispersed therein at the first dispersion density,and the conductor segments formed of the polymeric material having theconductive particulate material dispersed therein at the seconddispersion density.
 24. The sensor system of claim 21, wherein the firstlead is formed of the polymeric material having a second conductiveparticulate material dispersed therein, and wherein the first lead hassufficient conductivity that the first lead is configured to conduct anelectronic signal to or from each sensor in any state of deformation.25. The sensor system of claim 21, further comprising: a second sensorconfigured to be connected to the article of apparel at a locationseparate from the first sensor, wherein the second sensor is formed ofthe polymeric material having the conductive particulate materialdispersed therein, wherein the second sensor is configured to increasein resistance when deformed under pressure, and wherein the secondsensor comprises a plurality of second branches having one or moresecond bridges extending between the second branches to connect thesecond branches together, wherein the second branches and the secondbridges are arranged in a second alternating pattern; a secondconductive lead connected to the second sensor and extending from thesecond sensor to the interface, such that the electronic module isconfigured to be in communication with the second lead and the secondsensor through the interface, wherein the second lead has sufficientconductivity such that the second lead is configured to conduct anelectronic signal to or from the second sensor in any state ofdeformation
 26. An article of apparel having the sensor system of claim21 connected thereto, such that the first sensor, the first lead, andthe interface are connected to the article of apparel.